"I just don't understand what the tour selection committee and management is doing. I would have thought that Shoaib Malik or Saeed Ajmal would have been better choices to replace Hafeez," Akhtar said.

The former fast bowler pointed out that Malik had recently played a lot of cricket in Australia and his experience would be invaluable to the team in the World Cup.

"This Pakistan squad is not balanced and I just don't know what the final playing eleven is going to be now," Akhtar added.

He also made it clear that if the team fared badly in the World Cup then all office bearers and officials should hold themselves responsible and there should be no passing of the buck.

On the Pakistan and India opening match on February 15, Akhtar said the Adelaide pitch was very good for batting and he would prefer to play just two specialist pace bowlers and rely on spinners.

"Both sides have been struggling in recent times so it should a good close contest but in my view the approach of the captain will decide this very big match," he added.

He noted that Mahendra Singh Dhoni was not a great player but he had earned respect by coming to the rescue of his team time and again under pressure.

"He leads from the front that is his hallmark and I think even our captain will have to show courage if Pakistan is to win this match."

Former captain Muhammad Yousuf was more scathing in his criticism, saying that Misbah lacked heart and courage to inspire the team in these difficult times by coming up the order at number three.